Retractable container spout



June 3, 1958 R. CORELLA RETRACTABLE CONTAINER SPOUT Filed D60. 27, 1955ROY CORELLA IN V EN TOR.

- HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent RETRACTABLE CONTAINER SPOUT RoyCorolla, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 27,1955, Serial No. 555,363

7 Claims. (Cl. 222-517) This invention relates to a retractable spoutforcontainers.

It is an object of my invention to provide a spout which is adapted tobe used with substantially any type of container, whether the same beformed ofmetal, glass, plastic, or other material;

It is a further object of my invention-to provide such a spout which isautomatic in operation in the sense that it is adapted to fit and beheld within the neck of the container directly beneath the cap whenthecap is on the container. When the cap is removed, the spoutautomatically moves out of the neck of the container and assumes apouring position adjacent the lip of the neck. When the cap is replacedon the container, the top of thespout is caught'in the cap and carriedback into the neck of the container with the same movement whichreplaces the cap.

It is particularly an object of my invention to provide such a spoutwhich is adapted to be installed in or removed from the neck of thecontainer after the container has been filled.

While my spout is particularly adapted and designed for containershaving screw threaded necks with removable caps, it is also capable ofuse with or without modification on, other types of containers as well.

It is another object of my invention to provide a spout of the classdescribed which is simple and economical to manufacture, so that it iscapable of widespread sale and use.

The advantages of a spout of the type described are believed to-besubstantially obvious. It provides the con venience of a pouring spoutat all times, without requiring the attachment and removal of the spoutfor each pouring operation. The fact that my spout is attach able andremovable after the container has been filled is believed to 'be ofparticular importance, since the spout does not interfere with thefilling of the container and since the spout can beremoved when thecontainer is empty and used a considerable number of times.

My invention also comprises such other objects, advantages andcapabilities as will later more fully appear and. which are inherentlypossessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodimentof my invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptible ofmodification and change without departing from the spirit of my in-.

vention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a top plan view ofa container andwith the cap removed and my spout in pouring position;

Fig. 2 is a sideview of the same with the cap shown in vfull lines andthe movement of the spout indicated by. dotted lines and arrows;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of my spout;

Fig. 5 is atop plan view of another embodiment of my spout in pouringposition on a container;

Patented June 3, 1958 ing the spout in retracted position within theneck and.-

upper part of the. container.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a more simplified embodiment of myinvention.

My spout is adapted to be used with a container 10, having atop 11 withan upstanding open circular neck 12, through which the contents areinserted into and removed from the container 10. The outside of the neck12 is provided with screwthreading 13. A circular cap 14 is providedwith internal. screwthreading 15 which is complementary to thescrewthreading 13 on neck 12. The top of theneck 12 is provided with anintegral downwardly directed lip 16 which extends around its entirecircumference.

A preferred embodiment of my spout which has been selected to illustratemy invention comprises a funnel portion 17 which is preferably formed ofmetal, although any suitable material may be used. The funnel portion 17includes a bottom pouring channel 18 and a pair of integral upwardlydirected side walls 19 and 20. The funnel portion 17 is tapered in theconventional manner, with the side walls 19 and 20 converging toward theend of pouring channel 18.

Integral with the funnel portion 17 is a downwardly extending rear wall21, which extends at a right angle from the backof pouring channel 18.The rear wall 21 is curved. in an arc corresponding to the curve of theneck 12 with which my spout is used.

The bottom of the rear wall 21 is provided with a forwardly directrightangular integral catch portion 22, extends substantially parallelto the pouring channel 18. The distance between catch portion 22 andchannel 18 is greater than the distance from the top of the neck 12 tothe bottom of its downwardly'directed lip 16.

Attached to funnel portion 17 adjacent the center of rear wall 21 is aspring receiving member 23. The spring receiving member 23 extendsoutwardly from rear wall 21 and then downwardly at a right angle toprovide a hook which is open at the bottom to receive a portion of theend of a spring 24. The spring 24 is elongated, with one end 25 beingformed into a substantially complete circle having a diameter slightlygreater than the diameter of neck 12. The spring continues with anintegral straight portion 26 which extends diametrically across thecircle and which simultaneously extends upwardly. The opposite end ofthe spring 24 is formed into a triangular portion 27, the base of whichis disposed within the spring receiving member 23.

My spout thus comprises a funnel portion 17 and an attached spring 24.The circular portion of the spring 24 is adapted to fit within the neck12 of a container 10, lying within the concave portions formed by thescrewthreading 13. The circular portion of ring 24 is contracted topermit its insertion into the neck 12 and then expands to bear againstthe inside of the neck 12 to maintain a fixed position therein.

When my spout is in retracted, position, it is held within the neck 12and the upper portion of the container 10, with the funnel portion 17extending substantially vertically, its tip bearing against the insideof the cap 14. When the cap 14 is removed from the container, thestraight portion 26 of spring 24 moves the funnel portion 17 upwardly.The funnel portion 17 is urged in a vertical direction until its catchportion 22 engages the downwardly directed lip 16 of neck 12 to preventfurther vertical movement of the funnel portion 17. The spring 24continues to exert upwardly directed pressure against the springreceiving member 23, causing the funnel portion 17 to pivot on lip 16and move into horizontal pouring position. During this movement, the lip16 fits within the area between the pouring channel 18 and catch portion22.

.When the cap 14 is replaced, the user catches the tip of funnel portion17 within the cap and carries it into the neck 12 and container 10 withsubstantially the same motion which replaces cap 14 on neck 12. Thisrequires that the end of the funnel portion 17 be raised slightly andthen moved vertically downwardly as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

Another embodiment of my invention is shown in Figs. and6 of thedrawings. It comprises a funnel portion 17a having portions 18a22a,which are identical with portions 18-22 of funnel portion 17. Extendingacross the inner surface of the rear wall 21a is a spring receivingmember 30, the ends of which are attached to the rear Wall 21a and thecentral portion of which is bent outwardly therefrom to receive the endof a leaf spring 31. The opposite end of the leaf spring 31 is attachedto the center of a semi-circular ring 32.

The semi-circular ring 32 comprises somewhat more than half a circle andis slightly larger in diameter than the neck of the container. It fitswithin the neck 12aof the container. The leaf spring 31 acts in the samemanner as the previously described straight portion26 of spring 24,acting to urge the funnel portion 17a upwardly into pouring position.

Another and more simplified embodiment of my invention, which isshowntin Fig. 8 of the drawings, comprises a funnel structure similar tothat previously described and which operates in the same manner. Thespring structure, however, has been reduced to the simple form of asingle elongated flat spring 40, which is attached at one end to thefunnel and the other end of which is free and is provided with a smallhook portion 41.

In use, the hook portion 41 engages one of the concave portions of thescrewthreading 13 directly beneath the lip 16. The spring 40 extendsdiametrically across the top of the container 10. The spring 40 isprovided with a slight downward bow when the funnel is in pouringposition and a much greater bow when the funnel is in retractedposition. This embodiment of my invention has the advantage of beingextremely simple and economical toconstruct and simple to install andremove.

I claim:

1. A retractable container spout for use in combination with a containerhaving a screwthreaded circular neck,

a screwthreaded cap removably mounted thereon and a downwardly directedlip extending around the top of the neck, said spout comprising a funnelportion having a bottom pouring channel and a pair of upwardly directedside walls formed integrally therewith, a rear wall extending downwardlyat substantially a right angle along the entire rear edge of said funnelportion, said rear wall having a catch portion extending forwardlytherefrom at substantially a right angle, said rear wall and catchportion being curved in an arc corresponding to the neck of saidcontainer, the inner surface of said rear wall having a spring receivingportion, a spring formed from a single piece of wire, said spring havinga circular portion at one end thereof, said circular portion beinggreater in diameter than the diameter of the neck of said container,said spring having a straight portion extending diametrically acrosssaid circular portion and upwardly directed therefrom, the other end ofsaid spring engaging the spring receiving portion of said rear wall,

- said spout adapted to be removably mounted within the neck and upperportion of said container with the circular portion of said springfitting within the screwthreaded portion of the neck, said funnelportion being movable between a pouring position in which it extendshorizontally outwardly from the edge of the neck and a retractedposition in which it extends substantially vertically within the neckand upper portion of the container, the catch portion of said funnelportion being disposed beneath and adapted to pivotally engage the lipof the neck to permit said funnel portion to be pivoted between verticaland horizontal positions, the circular portion of said spring holdingsaid spout within said container, the straight portion of said springresiliently urging said funnel portion. upwardly and pivotally topouring position when the cap is removed from the container, the end ofsaid funnel portion beingadapted to fit Within the cap for movement ofsaid funnel portion from said pouring position to retracted position.

2. A retractable container spout for use in combination with a containerhaving a screwthreaded circular neck, a screwthreaded cap removablymounted thereon and a downwardly directed lip extending around the topof the neck, said spout comprising a funnel portion having a bottompouring channel and a pair of upwardly directed side walls, a rear wallextending downwardly along the rear edge of said funnel portion, saidrear wall having a catch portion extending forwardly therefrom, saidrear wall and catch portion being curved in an arc corresponding to theneck of said container, the inner surface of said rear wall having aspring receiving portion, a spring having 'a circular portion, saidcircular portion being greater in diameter than the neck of saidcontainer, said spring having a straight portion extending diametricallyacross said circular portion and upwardly directed therefrom, one end ofsaid straight portion engaging the spring receiving portion of said rearwall, said spout adapted to be removably mounted within the neck andupper portion of said container with the circular portionof said springfitting within the screwthreaded portion of the neck, said funnelportion beingmovable between a pouring position in which it extendshorizontally outwardly from the edge of the neck and a retractedposition in which it extends substantially vertically within the neckand upper portion of the container, the catch portion of said funnelportion being disposed beneath and adapted to pivotally engage the lipof the neck to permit said funnel portion to be pivoted between verticaland horizontal positions, the circular portion of said spring holdingsaid spout within said container, the straight portion of said springresiliently urging said funnel portion upwardly and pivotally to pouringposition when the cap is removed from the container, the end of saidfunnel portion being adapted to fit within the cap for movement of saidfunnel portion from said pouring position to retracted position.

3. A retractable container spout for use in combination with a containerhaving a screwthreaded circular neck, a screwthreaded cap removablymounted thereon and a downwardly directed lip extending around the topof the neck, said spout comprising a funnel portion having a bottompouring channel and a pair of upwardly directed side walls, a rear wallextending, downwardly along the rear edge of said funnel portion, saidrear wall having a catch portion extending forwardly therefrom, saidrear wall and catch portion being curved in an arc correspond-.

ing to the neck of said container, the inner surface of said rear wallhaving a spring receiving portion, a rounded spring greater in diameterthan the neck of said container, a straight spring extendingdiametrically across said rounded spring and upwardly directedtherefrom, one

of the container, the catch portion of said funnel portion beingdisposed beneath and adapted to pivotally engage the lip of the neck topermit said funnel portion to be pivoted between vertical and horizontalpositions, said rounded spring holding said spout within said container,said straight spring resiliently urging said funnel portion upwardly andpivotally to pouring position when the cap is removed from thecontainer, the end of said funnel portion being adapted to fit withinthe cap for movement of said funnel portion from said pouring positionto rettacted position.

4. A retractable container spout for use in combination with a containerhaving a circular neck, a cap removably mounted thereon and a downwardlydirected lip extending around the top of the neck, said spout comprisinga funnel portion, said funnel portion having a pouring surface and acatch portion disposed therebeneath, the distance between said pouringsurface and catch portion being greater than the downward thickness ofthe lip of said container, a rounded spring greater in diameter than theneck of said container, a straight spring extending diametrically withrespect to said rounded spring and upwardly directed therefrom, one endof said straight spring being attached to said rounded spring and theother end being attached to said funnel portion, said rounded springbeing adapted to fit within said neck, said funnel portion being movablebetween a pouring position in which it extends horizontally outwardlyfrom the edge of the neck and a retracted position in which it extendssubstantially vertically Within the neck and upper portion of thecontainer, said catch portion being disposed beneath and adapted'topivotally engage the lip of the neck to permit said funnel portion to bepivoted between vertical and horizontal positions, said rounded springholding said spout within said container, said straight springresiliently urging said funnel portion upwardly and pivotally to pouringposition when the cap is removed from the container, the end of saidfunnel portion being adapted to fit within the cap for movement of saidfunnel portion from pouring position to retracted position.

5. A retractable container spout for use in combination with a containerhaving a circular neck, a cap removably mounted thereon and a downwardlydirected lip extending around the top of the neck, said spout comprisinga funnel portion, said funnel portion having a pouring surface and acatch portion disposed therebeneath, the distance between said pouringsurface and catch portion being greater than the downward thickness ofthe lip of said container, first spring means greater in diameter thanthe neck of said container, second spring means extending diametricallywith respect to said first spring means and upwardly directed therefrom,said first spring means being adapted to fit within said neck, saidfunnel portion being movable between a pouring position in which itextends horizontally outwardly from the edge of the neck and a retractedposition in which it extends substantially vertically within the neckand upper portion of the container, said catch portion being disposedbeneath and adapted to pivotally engage the lip of the neck to permitsaid funnel portion to be pivoted between vertical and horizontalpositions, said first spring means holding said spout Within saidcontainer, said second spring means resiliently urging said funnelportion upwardly and pivotally to pouring posi tion when the cap isremoved from the container, the end of said funnel portion being adaptedto fit within the cap for movement of said funnel portion from pouringposition to retracted position.

6. A retractable container spout for use in combination with a containerhaving a neck, a cap removably mounted thereon and a downwardly directedlip disposed adjacent the top of the neck, said spout comprising afunnel portion, said funnel portion having a pouring surface and a catchportion disposed therebeneath, the distance between said pouring surfaceand catch portion being greater than the downward thickness of the lipof said container, said funnel portion being movable between a pouringposition in which it extends horizontally outwardly from the edge of theneck and a retracted position in which it extends substantiallyvertically within the neck and upper portion of the container, saidcatch portion being disposed beneath and adapted to pivotally engage thelip of the neck to permit said funnel portion to be pivoted betweenvertical and horizontal positions, spring means removably holding saidspout within said neck and the upper part of said container, and springmeans resiliently urging said funnel portion upwardly and pivotally topouring position when the cap is removed from the container, the end ofsaid funnel portion being adapted to fit within the cap for movement ofsaid funnel portion from pouring position to retracted position.

7. A retractable container spout for use in combination with a containerhaving a neck, a cap removably mounted thereon and a downwardly directedlip disposed adjacent the top of the neck, said spout comprising afunnel portion, said funnel portion having a pouring surface and a catchportion disposed therebeneath, the distance between said pouring surfaceand catch portion being greater than the downward thickness of the lipof said container, said funnel portion being movable between a pouringposition in which it extends horizontally outwardly from the edge of theneck and a retracted position in which it extends substantiallyvertically within the neck and upper portion of the container, saidcatch portion being disposed beneath and adapted to pivotally engage thelip of the neck to permit said funnel portion to be pivoted betweenvertical and horizontal positions, means holding said spout within saidcontainer, and means resiliently urging said funnel portion upwardly andpivotally to pouring position when the cap is removed from thecontainer, the end of said funnel portion being adapted to fit withinthe cap for movement of said funnel portion from pouring position toretracted position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,874,008 Henig Aug. 30, 1932

